Origin
Minnetonka Mills, MN
Morning in Minnetonka Mills on Sunday
Local time
8:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Minnetonka Mills, MN to Columbia Heights, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
26m
Distance
15.3 mi
25 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 27m
8 AM
0h 31m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 28m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 31m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Minnetonka Mills, MN
Tom Fisk
Columbia Heights, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transit across the Twin Cities area, the 15.3-mile trip from Minnetonka Mills to Columbia Heights is a straightforward commute. You can expect the drive to take roughly 26 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $2 for fuel will cover your transit costs, as this is a very efficient local journey. Since both points are located within the Midwest, the transition between them is seamless and familiar. You won't need to worry about overnight logistics for such a short distance, allowing you maximum flexibility in your scheduling. Ultimately, this route serves as a practical connection for anyone looking to navigate between these two Minnesota communities without fuss.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 394 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| Hopkins Crossroad | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Northeast University Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| North Washington Avenue | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| Minnetonka Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| I 94 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Northeast Lowry Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| University Avenue Northeast | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 394
— 6.1 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minnetonka Mills, MN and Columbia Heights, MN.
1
Start on CR 61
320 ft
·
12 sec
·
Shady Oak Road
2
Turn right onto CR 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Minnetonka Boulevard
3
Turn left onto CR 73
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Hopkins Crossroad
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 394 East
5
Merge onto I 394
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
I 394
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
Exit 8B
Toward I 94 East, I 94 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward I 94 West
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 94
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
I 94
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 229
Toward CR 81: Washington Avenue North, West Broadway Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto CR 152
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Washington Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn right onto CR 153
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
North Lowry Avenue
12
Continue on CR 153
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Lowry Avenue
13
Turn left onto MN 47
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast University Avenue
14
Continue on MN 47
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
University Avenue Northeast
15
Arrive at destination
MN 47
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 11.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 394
Merge onto I 394
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
9.2 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East, I 94 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8B
Toward I 94 East, I 94 West
8
9.4 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 8B
Toward I 94 West
8
10.9 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward CR 81: Washington Avenue North, West Broadway Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 229
Toward CR 81: Washington Avenue North, West Bro...
4
11.3 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
CR 152 / North Washington Avenue
Turn left onto CR 152 / North Washington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.28 one way
$4.55 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $2.45 | $4.91 |
| premium | $4.53 | $2.73 | $5.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.38 | $6.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.61 | $0.73 |
| Efficient EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.34 | $0.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.14 | $0.98 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Columbia Heights, MN
Morning in Columbia Heights on Sunday
Local time
8:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
24 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile that balances high-speed transit with local navigation. You will spend about 44% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 6.1 miles along I-394. As you transition from the interstate onto Hopkins Crossroad and eventually Northeast University Avenue, the pace of the drive shifts from steady highway cruising to a more urban flow. Expect a variety of road types that keep you engaged without the fatigue of a long-haul journey. It is a functional route that moves you efficiently through the regional landscape, shifting gears as you leave the suburban feel of Minnetonka Mills for the northern reaches of Columbia Heights.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 6.1 mi on I 394.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near I 394.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 15.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 26m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (I 394): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Minnetonka Mills, MN to Columbia Heights, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 81: Washington Avenue North along the way.
Cr 81: Washington Avenue North
10.9 mi in
|
~16m
About the Cities
Arriving in Columbia Heights, MN
Full guide →Columbia Heights and Fridley are suburbs of Minneapolis located in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 26m. Total distance: 15.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (44%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 6.1 miles on I 394. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Columbia Heights, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (I 394): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Columbia Heights, MN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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